A New Dawn: Shaping Masculinity Towards Positive Change

Father a Nation, a non-profit organization in South Africa, is working to promote healthy masculinity and empower men to become exceptional fathers, mentors, and role models. During the 16 Days of Activism, they will host workshops to educate men about gender-based violence and equip them with the skills they need to embody positive masculinity. By challenging misconceptions and fostering empathy and responsibility, Father a Nation hopes to help heal men and in turn, heal the world.

Empowering Change: Father a Nation’s Initiatives

During the 16 Days of Activism from November 25th to December 10th, Father a Nation will host workshops to equip men with the skills they need to understand and embody healthy masculinity. Their mission is to shape men into exceptional fathers, effective mentors, inspiring role models, and simply good men, and they believe that by healing men, they can heal the world.

In the heart of South African culture, stories of fathers scheming against their families, husbands manipulating their wives, and men disregarding their responsibilities are far too common. But amidst this grim atmosphere, a spark of optimism persists. This spark, inspired by the conviction that authentic masculinity can be a wellspring of positivity, is aflame thanks to Craig Wilkinson, the visionary founder and CEO of Father a Nation.

Father a Nation is a non-profit organization that has tirelessly advocated for positive masculinity for over ten years. It has become a beacon of hope, providing crucial education about the nature of healthy masculinity and taking a stand against all forms of abuse.

The scarcity of positive male role models in South Africa has created a void that frequently engenders harmful perspectives on masculinity. Young men, lacking suitable role models, often find themselves drawn to figures like gangsters, abusers, or neglectful fathers, observes Wilkinson. This emphasizes the vital role that positive male figures play in shaping the mindset and behavior of boys and men in the nation.

Empowering Change: Father a Nation’s Initiatives

This year, during the 16 Days of Activism from November 25th to December 10th, Wilkinson and his team plan to foster an environment for men to engage in frank discussions about Gender Based Violence (GBV). In the epicenters of Western Cape and Gauteng’s GBV issues, they will host engaging workshops, equipping men with the skills they need to understand and embody healthy masculinity.

The mission of Father a Nation is simple yet impactful – they believe that by healing men, they can heal the world. ‘Our focus is on shaping men into exceptional fathers, effective mentors, inspiring role models, and simply good men. The key to addressing GBV lies in stopping it at its source, given that men are the primary perpetrators of physical and sexual GBV,’ Wilkinson states.

Wilkinson maintains that while raising awareness and supporting victims is vital, the ultimate goal should be to prevent the creation of victims in the first place. This can be achieved by intervening early and preventing damaged men from falling into abusive patterns.

The Journey Towards Positive Masculinity

GBV can be effectively addressed by educating, inspiring, and healing men, as Father a Nation has demonstrated in schools, universities, communities, and organizations all over South Africa. Over 300,000 men have taken part in their programs, fostering an atmosphere of lively debate, sharing personal narratives of hardship and victory, and learning about the true nature of GBV and its ramifications.

Wilkinson insists that the pictures of healthy masculinity never include abuse. He shares how intimate conversations have often been filled with stories of transformation, of men and women whose lives have been positively impacted by the efforts of Father A Nation.

By challenging the misconceptions about masculinity and offering a platform for men to express their struggles and aspirations for improvement, they empower men to be a positive influence. Wilkinson underlines that to help men become efficient leaders, builders, and fathers, it’s crucial to approach them with empathy, not blame. Responsibility and compassion can, and should, coexist.

Wilkinson sagely states, ‘We delve deep into the reasons why men become abusers, always remembering that a reason is not the same as an excuse.’ This understanding fuels the mission of Father A Nation, a mission that carries the hope of a society where masculinity is a force for good, rather than a propellant of harm.

1. What is Father a Nation?

Father a Nation is a non-profit organization in South Africa that advocates for positive masculinity and aims to shape men into exceptional fathers, effective mentors, inspiring role models, and simply good men.

2. What is their mission?

Their mission is to empower men to become positive influences in their families and communities, and to heal men in order to heal the world.

3. What is their approach to addressing Gender Based Violence (GBV)?

Father a Nation plans to foster an environment for men to engage in frank discussions about GBV and will host engaging workshops to equip men with the skills they need to understand and embody healthy masculinity.

4. How many men have participated in their programs?

Over 300,000 men have taken part in their programs, fostering an atmosphere of lively debate, sharing personal narratives of hardship and victory, and learning about the true nature of GBV and its ramifications.

5. What is the ultimate goal of Father a Nation?

The goal is to prevent the creation of victims of GBV by intervening early and preventing damaged men from falling into abusive patterns.

6. What is Father a Nation’s approach to helping men become positive leaders and fathers?

Father a Nation approaches men with empathy, not blame, and offers a platform for them to express their struggles and aspirations for improvement. They challenge misconceptions about masculinity and offer education to empower men to be positive influences in their families and communities.